Stretcher and drier for hides



fiov. 3, 192 1,560,290

P T. OBRIEN' STRETCHER AND DRIER FOR HIDES F1100 March 12. 192300000000000 00000000000 -oooooooooo booooooooooo OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOO000000000000000000000m/ 6mfififl0 gg & 000 00000 00 00000 000 0 I 00 00000 0 0000 0 00 J a? 00 0 0000 000 0 00 I I g 0 0 gg 7 00 0W O00 OO-OO0000 %&& 0 1%? 0000 %fi% 00%0%00 0000 0 000000000000 4 I 000000000o 9 iPatented Nov. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PETER THOMAS OBRIEN, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

STRETCHER AND DRIER FOR HIDES.

Application filed March 12, 1923. Seria1 No. 624,548.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER T. OBiunra', a citizen of the United States,residing at Salem, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented a I new and useful Stretcher and Drier for Hides, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in stretching and dryinghides and leather, one of the objects of the invention being to provideracks of novel construction on which hides of different sizes can bemounted readily, there being novel means for detachably engaging thehides and the rack for holding said hides in proper position for drying.

Another object is to provide hide engaging clips which can bemanipulated readily for stretching the engaged hides and afterwardsplaced in engagement with the racks so as to hold the hides againstshrinkage.

A still further objects is to provide racks which can be compactlystored in a drying space where they can be conveniently moved into andout of position.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combina tions of parts which will be hereinafter morefully described and pointed out in the'claim, it being understood thatchanges may be made in the construction and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawings the pre tterred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of a rack with a stretched hide thereon.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the rack.

Figure 8 is a plan view of portions of two racks engaging theirsupporting means.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section through a portion of one of the racksshowing one means for connecting the. parts.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing a modified connection.

' Figure 6 is an elevation of one of the clips in engagement with therack and hide.

Figure 7 is a section through the clip on line 77 Figure 6.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 and 2 designateflat metal plates preferably substantially rectangular and connected bybolts 8 the end portions at of which can be screw threaded and extendedthrough the plates close to the edges thereof, these end portions beingengaged by nuts 5. Shoulders 6 can be formed on the bolts for holdingthe plates spaced apart. It preferred, and as shown in Figure 5, theends of the bolts can be in the form of reduced studs 7 held in theplates by cotter pins 8 or similar fastening devices.

The two connected plates form a rack and each rack is supported on arail 9 having an upwardly extending longitudinal portion 10 projectingbetween the plates of the rack so as to guide the rack while beingpushed along the rail. An upstanding wall or frame 11 is arrangedadjacent one end of the rail and has one or more clips 12 projectingtherefrom for engagement with the upstanding edges at one end of therack as shown in Figures 1 and 8. Thus the rack will be supported in anupstanding position. 7

Each plate of the rack has numerous openings therein as shown at 13,these openings extending over the greater portion of the area of theplate. Any one of the openings is adapted to receive a hook 14 formed atone end oil a stem 15 and connected to this stem close to the hook is astrap 16 of any suitable material terminating in a loop 17 The other endof the stem has a jaw 18 the active face of which has parallel ribs 19projecting therefrom. These ribs can be of any desired contour and canbe arranged at any desired angle to the stem. A lever 20 is pivotallymounted on the stem as shown at. 21 and has a handle 22 at one end whileits other end is provided with a jaw 23. Ribs 24: extend from this jawand are adapted to project between the ribs 19. A spring 25 can bearagainst the lever 20 so as to hold the jaws normally toward each other.

When it is desired to stretch and dry a hide H the same is laid out onone of the plates 1 and 2 and the clips formed by the stem 15 and lever20 are placed in engagement with the hide at desired points along theedges thereof. The jaws 19 and 20 will grip the hide securely, thespring 25 causing them to bind tightly on the gripped hide which will becrimped between the ribs 19 and 24:. After the clips have all beenpositioned on the hide the hooks 14 are inserted in the nearby openings13 and by pulling on the loops 17 the hide can be stretched andtheflhooks placed in other openings 13 to hold the hide againstshrinking. One or more hides can be stretched on each plate of the rackafter which the rack, While set up on edge, can-be slid along the rail 9until brought into engagement with the supporting clips 12. After thehide has dried it can be removed readily as Will be apparent.

What is claimed is:

The combination With an upstanding structure and spring clips securedthereto and extending therefrom, said clips being arranged in pairs,- ofa rail extending from the bottom of the upstanding structure, anupstanding portion on the rail extending longitudinally thereof, vandarack slidably mounted on and supported by the rail and movable againstthe upstanding structure, said rack'incl'udi-ng spaced plates slidablealong and guided by the upstanding portion on the rail said plates beingmovable into engagement by and adapted to be held in upstandingpositions by the respective pairs of clips.

In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as'my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature.

PETE-R THOMAS OBRIEN.

